Clifton Journal Police Blotter May 9, 2014

Two Clifton men were arrested and charged with burglarizing a vehicle as well as resisting arrest on April 29.

Tracey Jackson, 20, of Clifton, and James Lavin, Jr., 20, of Clifton, were both charged with burglary to auto, following a police chase and struggle on Baker Court.

Detective Sgt. Robert Bracken said officers Maurizio Melendez and Jose Padilla responded to Baker Court at 2:50 a.m. on a report of two men fleeing the area after burglarizing a vehicle. A witness gave the officers a description of the two men who had broken into a parked car and fled the area, Bracken said.

The officers searched the area and located two individuals walking on Lakeview Avenue who matched the description of the suspects, Bracken said. When the officers instructed the men to stop, they fled on foot, pursued also on foot, by the officers, Bracken said.

Officer Melendez caught up with Jackson, who resisted and fought the officers, Bracken said, adding at one point, Melendez attempted to take the officer's radio from his belt. Padilla chased and caught Lavin, who also fought the officers, Bracken said. "After a significant altercation," both suspects were taken into police custody and additionally charged with resisting arrest and resisting arrest by force and flight.

Smash & Grab

Police are investigating two similar smash & grab robberies reported on May 1 and May 2.

The Radio Shack on Route 46 was broken into on May 2 at about 5:50 a.m., Bracken said. The glass was shattered and a "substantial" amount of products stolen including phones and other electronics.

On May 1, shortly after midnight, the Verizon store in the Botany Village shopping center was similarly robbed. Bracken said the glass was smashed and a number of electronic items and phones reported stolen.

Burglaries

A River Road home was reported broken into on April 30.

According to police reports, a window was broken to gain access to the home. Residents are currently taking inventory of the home to determine what items were stolen.

An attempted burglary to a Center Street home was reported on April 28.

According to police reports, the home's door was pried open but no entry was made.

An attempted burglary was reported to a Skyview Terrace home on April 28.

According to police reports, a failed attempt to pry open the door was discovered and reported.

An attempted burglary to a Crooks Avenue home was reported on April 28. No further details are available.

An attempted burglary was reported to a Valley Road home on April 27.

According to police reports, residents found pry marks on one of the home's windows.